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Satanists of a local satanic temple are scheduled to give the opening “prayer” at a meeting of the Phoenix City Council next month, triggering a controversy about religious freedom and whether a satanist invocation is appropriate.

“Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9,10 (KJV)

If someone would have told me just ten years ago that Satanists would be given a voice and a platform in this country to spread their devilment, I would have thought you were crazy. Absolutely nuts. But in 2016, Satanists like the LGBT are on the rise, empowered, and looking for a fight. Why? Because the Bible says that in the end times darkness and evil will rise as the professing Church of Jesus Christ grows ever more lukewarm. Welcome to the end times.

Phoenix City Attorney Brad Holm released a statement Thursday evening, defending the city’s position on the issue.

“Consistent with the U.S. Supreme Court’s direction, the city cannot dictate religious viewpoints or the content of a prayer,” Holm wrote. “In addition, government may not exclude a denomination or a religion from praying under these circumstances.”

The invocation at the start of Phoenix City Council meetings has been given by representatives of various faiths, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Sikhism.

De Haan, who resides in Tucson, said he submitted the request to give the invocation to ensure representation by minority voices. He said his satanic temple does “not believe in a literal Satan” but instead views the biblical Satan as “a metaphor for rebellion against tyranny.”

“We’re citizens of this government and we would like our voices to be heard,” de Haan said. “If they don’t want to accept, constitutionally what must happen is that all voices must be taken down from the public forum. It’s basically all voices must be heard or none at all.”